Falcons Hurdle Past Hawks, 42-25

Fitchburg State rallies for 28 second half points in season opener 

FITCHBURG, Mass.– The Fitchburg State football team opened its 2015 season this evening under the lights at Elliot Field as they defeated Becker College, 42-25. Junior quarterback Garrett Dellechiaie led the Falcons offense as he threw for 232 yards on 21 completions, while finishing with four passing touchdowns and another on the ground.

The visiting Hawks opened the scoring with 10:39 remaining in the first quarter after Jacob Homes nailed a 25 yard field goal, but the Falcons responded when Dellechiaie hit senior receiver Ty Spencer with a 15 yard touchdown pass in the left corner of the end zone.

An unsuccessful punt attempt by Fitchburg State resulted in a safety, shortening the deficit to two points for Becker. Dellechiae responded by marching the Falcons down the field, finding Spencer again for another 15-yard touchdown reception and increasing their lead 14-5. 

With a minute remaining in the first half the Becker play-caller Nas Sinkfield-Shelton found Elijah Marcelo for a 24 yard touchdown pass bringing the Hawks to within two (14-12), before the Hawks capitalized on a blocked punt with 30 seconds left in the second quarter as Sinkfield-Shelton tossed a three yard touchdown pass to Dejahn Dawkins to take an 18-14 lead into halftime.

The Falcons received the second half kick as senior Shaheem Burnett found a crease, breaking off a 55-yard return, setting the tone for Fitchburg State in the final two quarters. Dellechiaie countered with a three-minute drive, capping it off with a touchdown run at the goal line to put the hosts back on top, 21-18.

After a quick stop by the Fitchburg State defense, Dellechiae found junior tight end Devin Summiel open for a big 63-yard touchdown reception putting FSU up 27-18 with 9:29 left in the stanza.

Following a safety to up the Falcon margin, Taylor Wrice-Brooks capped off a eight play 55 yard drive with a 12-yard run into the end zone for his first career touchdown to extend the hosts advantage to, 35-18.

With 5:25 remaining in the contest, Becker returner Davin Collins took the Fitchburg State punt 49 yards to the end zone to reduce the gap to ten (35-25), but Dellechiaie then returned to the field and put the game out of reach, quickly striking for his fourth touchdown pass, connecting with sophomore Jesse Lastra for at 28 yard strike, resulting in the 42-25 victory.

Jevon Brown-Simpson led the Falcons rushing attack with 95 yards on 11 carries, while Summiel had four receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown. Spencer and Lastra also contributed as the receiving duo combined for four catches and three touchdowns in the win.

Sinkfield-Shelton went 25-for-48 through the air with 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns for the Hawk, while Marcelo led the Hawks receiving core with six receptions on 47 yards and a touchdown in the set back. Dawkins also contributed to Becker's offense, hauling in six catches for 45 yards and a touchdown.   

The Green & Gold's defense was anchored by Taron Seaforth-Howard's eight tackles and with one sack, while Malcolm Brown-Simpson added five tackles and an interception for Fitchburg State.

For Becker, Josh Lawrence led all tacklers with a game-high 13 tackles (eight solo, five assisted) for Becker, while Collins finished with five tackles, a pick, and three passes defended.

Fitchburg State (1-0, 0-0 MASCAC) returns to action next Saturday as it visits Curry College at 7:00 p.m. Becker (0-1, 0-0 ECFC) will host MIT on Saturday at 12:00 p.m.

COURTESY IN PART TO STUDENT JOURNALIST KYLE PRUDHOMME

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